Alexander Mullings Sanders, Jr.
Alexander Mullings Sanders, Jr., 88, slipped away peacefully in his sleep on October 20, 2026, in Columbia, South Carolina.
Alex Sanders was born in Columbia on September 29, 1938. He was the son of Henrietta Thomas Sanders and Alexander Mullings Sanders, Sr. Alex graduated from Dreher High School and served in the United States Army. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and the University’s School of Law. He later earned a Masters in Law degree from the University of Virginia.
Alex met his beloved wife, Zoe Dutrow, on a playground in Columbia when they were both four years old. They were married in 1964 and remained so until Zoe’s passing earlier this year. Alex said every good idea he ever had was her idea or their idea together and every bad idea was his idea all by himself. They loved traveling, cooking, and entertaining. In 1967, Alex and Zoe had their daughter, Zoe Caroline, who would later grace them with twin grandsons.
Alex was a lawyer. He practiced law with distinction in Columbia both before his life as a public servant and then again when he retired from public service, when he formed a law practice with his daughter. He was president of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, tried many cases both civil and criminal and was a lifelong opponent of the death penalty.
Alex was a public servant. He believed deeply in helping others. He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1967 where he was a member of a group of progressive legislators who called themselves the “Young Turks.” In 1970, Alex and fellow midlands legislator Isadore Lourie welcomed the first elected African Americans to the House of Representatives since shortly after Reconstruction, I.S. Leevy Johnson and James L. Felder, by choosing each as desk mates. I.S. Leevy Johnson was Alex’s desk mate and James L. Felder was Isadore Lourie’s desk mate. In 1977, Alex was elected to the South Carolina Senate where he served until 1983, when he announced he would not seek re-election so as to facilitate the election of an African American to the Senate. In 1983, the General Assembly elected him as the first Chief Judge of the recreated South Carolina Court of Appeals. Alex served on that Court until 1992, when he left to become the President of the College of Charleston. He remained in that position until his retirement in 2001. In 2002, he was the South Carolina Democratic nominee for the United States Senate.
Alex was a teacher. During his time as Chief Judge Alex taught several classes at the University of South Carolina School of Law. He also taught classes at Harvard Law School, the Harvard Kennedy School and was a fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics. Alex taught at the College of Charleston during his presidency, and later helped found the Charleston School of Law, which had as its mission a goal of producing public servants. Alex served on the board of the Charleston School of Law until 2013, and he continued to teach at both the law school and at the College of Charleston regularly until 2020. He was a mentor to numerous law clerks, staff attorneys, lawyers and law students and undergraduate students he met along the way and had an open-door policy with everyone.
Alex was an environmentalist. He was among the earliest lawyers and legislators in South Carolina to focus on the protection of air, water and other natural resources. As a lawyer, he litigated on behalf of groups such as the Audubon Society. As a legislator, he led a successful campaign against a chemical manufacturer to prevent the construction of a plant near Hilton Head Island, and he prevented logging and the construction of a sewage-treatment plant in the Santee Swamp and Congaree Swamp areas. Famously, he claimed to have heard the song of the thought to be extinct ivory-billed woodpecker in the swamp. Alex mused that the Department of Transportation named a bridge on I-77 for him and the ultimate location of the Columbia sewage treatment plant as a form of mild retribution.
Alex was a philosopher, humorist and storyteller. He was a juggler and an amateur magician. Whether interacting with lawyers during appellate arguments or with his countless students, Alex engaged in thought-provoking conversations that would often include one of the many stories Alex was known to tell. His lifelong friend, Pat Conroy, often used some of Alex’s stories and attributed many of the stories in The Prince of Tides to Alex. Alex might confess that some of his stories were apocryphal, but the stories always provided a lesson on life, law, morality or clean living. A bumper sticker on a car he inherited from his father and parked behind the Court of Appeals building announced “This is not an Abandoned Car.” Just prior to the first argument in the Court of Appeals in September 1983, Alex reminded his fellow judges they were at that moment “as popular as they would ever be,” implying that once they ruled on their first case at least one side would be unhappy.
Alex was a writer. Apart from the numerous opinions he authored as a judge or acting member of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, Alex wrote countless articles and essays on law or life. He wrote scholarly opinions, including Langley v. Boyter which traced the development of contributory negligence and comparative negligence at common law and, although the Supreme Court quashed the opinion on procedural grounds, the case became the foundation of the Court’s ultimate adoption of modified comparative negligence in a later case. Alex was also the primary author of a comprehensive trial handbook for South Carolina lawyers. Alex loved the game of baseball and was a Boston Red Sox fan. He authored and presented numerous symposium papers on baseball and American culture at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Alex was a friend. Alex collected friends as one might collect valued pieces of art. Aside from Pat Conroy, Alex counted numerous public and sports figures among his friends. He might be seen at lunch at Groucho’s in Columbia with baseball great Ted Williams, or he might be seen showing off the beautiful Court of Appeals courtroom to author Kurt Vonnegut. Alex counted thousands of others as his friends, whether they be lawyers or nonlawyers. He would often convene meetings with fellow judges and court staff at Sarge Frye Field during a USC baseball game, or on a pontoon boat on Lake Murray. He embraced the joy of companionship with others.
Alexander M. Sanders, Jr., was predeceased in life by his lifelong partner, Zoe Dutrow Sanders. He is survived by his daughter, Zoe Caroline Sanders and her partner, Robert Galloway; two grandchildren, Alex Sanders Nettles and William Norman Nettles, Jr.; his sister Henrietta Sanders Miller; and his nephew Ronald Eugene Miller, Jr.
A memorial service will be held November 5, 2026, at 2:00pm at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, South Carolina. A visitation with the family will be held shortly after the service in Satterlee Hall. A private burial will be held at a later time.
Sending my heartfelt condolences to the family and prayers 💐🕊️
Alex Sanders was my dear friend and brother from another mother. I was among the friends Alex Sanders collected in the Charleston area and across South Carolina. And over a 20 year period Alex and I became good friends.
Alex impressed me and frankly sometimes surprised me with his commitment to justice and fairness for my community. We agreed on so many issues of justice and opposed racism in all forms. I valued his insight and courageous witness about civil rights and fairness.
Alex was just plain funny! And he was one of the greatest storytellers and humorist I have ever met. He loved to talk and frankly I loved to listen to his stories and his unique perspectives on racism, history and the ways of Charleston!
Alex told me that my grandfather Nelson Rivers, Sr., was “the most equal man” in Bennetts Point, SC” and that his father and my grandfather were good friends at Bennetts Point. And Alex was one of the funniest human beings I ever met!
Alex’s story telling became an art form for me. In 2015, after the Mother Emanuel AME Church racist mass murder, Alex and I were paired on a panel in response to my observation that African Americans understood our White neighbors better than they understood us or our thoughts and experiences. This led to Alex and I sharing a conversation at Mother Emanuel AME that year about our lived experiences in the Charleston area.
I loved to hear Alex tell stories. He was uniquely funny and insightful at the same time. I called him often for counsel and wisdom or sometimes when I needed a good laugh and he never disappointed.
Alex was kind enough to serve on the Charity Foundation, which is the non-profit created by the church I am honored to serve as pastor the Charity Missionary Baptist Church in Liberty Hill of North Charleston.
And most of all Alex was my dear friend and I will miss him but I thank God, the perfect navigator of time and circumstance, for allowing me to become friends with and be blessed to be called a friend of The Honorable Alex M Sanders.
Rest well my brother,
Rev. Nelson B. Rivers, III
To the Sanders family my sincere condolences to the family
Sending love to Retta and Zoe
To the Sanders family, please accept my heartfelt condolences.
I was a student at the College of Charleston during Judge Sanders’ presidency, and my memories of him have remained with me all these years. He was a genuinely warm, kind and caring person who made students feel that they mattered. He awarded me a partial scholarship for my final semester and later, at graduation, presented me with a special recognition award for my academic achievements. I have never forgotten either gesture or the kindness behind them.
I feel very fortunate that our paths crossed during those wonderful years in Charleston. May his memory be a blessing to his family, his friends, and the generations of College of Charleston students whose lives were touched by his leadership and kindness.
To the family of Judge Sanders, please accept my condolences. I was fortunate to have met Judge Sanders when I was a high school student at SC Governors School at The College of Charleston having just moved from NYC the previous year. I met him again when I returned as a counselor 4 years later. He was always so energetic, lively, and kind! He will be greatly missed and I am thankful to have been blessed to have been in his presence. Godspeed.
Attorney Alex Sanders did so much for so many. Now he belongs to the ages.
O’Neal Smalls, President Emeritus
Freewoods Farm
Myrtle Beach, SC
I first met Alex when he was a senator and I was a page for the Richland delegation. What a fine Southern gentleman and friend. As years passed I ran into him at an event in Charleston. I asked him what to call him. Senator, judge, president or what? He responded with a smile and said,”call me Alex.” It was both a nervous moment and a great honor.
South Carolina will miss this man of greatness, humor and wisdom. He leaves a legacy of service to our state and our country. I’m so grateful for his friendship.
Joe E. Berry III
Boykin, SC
I had the tremendous honor and privilege of living with Judge Alex, Miss Zoe, and Zoe Caroline while I studied for my master’s degree in English at Carolina. This came about because I asked Zoe Caroline, my UVA classmate and sorority sister, if she had any recommendations for places to live or people with whom to live. To my everlasting blessing, Zoe Caroline said she was looking for a roommate because her parents were preparing to move to Charleston for Judge Alex to become the College‘s president. Those months living with them were some of the happiest of my life. I remember Judge Alex, learning of my status as a cinephile, took me to the movies one day. I don’t remember the film, but I vividly remember the experience of enjoying that time with him. Zoe Caroline told me Judge Alex used to go see the first half of a movie on his lunch hour, then return to the theater to watch the second half on a successive lunch hour. When Pat Conroy was unable to make it to Charlottesville for his planned speech at UVA‘s Convocation our graduation weekend, Judge Alex stepped in at the last minute and delivered one of the most brilliant speeches I have ever heard, filled with humor, wisdom, and friendship. Miss Zoe was also an incredible hostess to me, with her unrivaled hospitality, vibrancy, and sense of fun. The love Judge Alex and Miss Zoe had for each other was deeply apparent every day, and they sure raised an amazing daughter. As I told Zoe Caroline, I will never, ever forget her parents. Though I am saddened at their loss, I’m comforted in knowing they are together again and enjoying more laughs and wonderful times. My love and condolences to the entire family.
Our condolences and prayers.
Zoe- My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Peace of the Lord Be With You.
He was in many ways the best of us
Alex Sanders and Zoe his beautiful little wife they hold a special place in my heart and always will. I was Alex’s Barber from mid-90s until he and Zoe moved to Columbia to be closer to Zoe Caroline their daughter. There is not enough words of appreciation for this wonderful man and woman.
Alex and Zoe was such kind-hearted people, always smiling. I never seen Alex without a smile, he followed me three different places and he always brought Zoe with him. I adored her they were the sweetest couple, they both will be sadly missed. I love them deeply. The last years they came to see me they always stopped by Cosmic dogs and got their hot dogs and brought me something always. If they went on trips they always thought about me, a gift of earrings or t-shirt always something. They were very thoughtful and caring such loving people. My heart is broken. I knew it wouldn’t be long after Zoe they had to be together always. I love you Alex and Zoe. I’m so thankful for all the years and memories. Zoe Caroline, Your Dad spoke so highly of you and his grandson’s. I met you once.
My prayers are with you and your family for comfort and healing.
Alex and Zoe are together again, Dancing in Heaven. I’ll never forget them. I love them so much. Until we meet again my great friends. I will carry in my heart the love that y’all have shown me. I will never forget you both. Thank you so much Alex, I’m so glad I got to call and talk after y’all moved to Columbia. You would always answer, Hey Lisa! such a nice sweet happy voice. I’m going to miss that so much
Sending the Sanders family my sincere condolences on the loss of a SC legend. I took Judge Sanders class while majoring in Political Science at the College of Charleston. I learned more from his class than most of my college career. Judge Sanders had a very simple syllabus for our class that included two major assignments. The first half of the semester we were asked to write a major paper outlining our opinion on a controversial topic and research. After we turned them in, he announced the second assignment of the semester – take the complete opposite stance, research, and write the opposing argument. It was a wonderful lesson in understanding different perspectives and it is a lost art in today’s society. I am grateful to have learned so much in a short time from such an interesting and charming man!
Carol Anne and I send our condolences and prayers. Alex was a dear friend whom we shall greatly miss. He was a treasure for our state and one of the last great statesmen. He was always there for me, and I considered him to be my role model as a lawyer and leader.
Godspeed Alex!
Mills & Carol Anne Gallivan
South Carolina has lost a true gentleman, scholar, unique storyteller. Every organization with which Alex was involved was uplifted by his knowledge and keen wit. Currently he is on his way to join Zoe and share one of her famous biscuits! They were a great couple and will be again once reunited. My deepest sympathy to daughter Zoe. His legacy shall last for years to come.
Respectfully,
John
Alex Sanders (The Judge) was a gem. More than once he made me laugh so hard that tears ran down my face. He was smart, kind, funny of course. Alex was a genuinely decent person. The College is a widow.
Working with and knowing Alex Sanders was a very real blessing! He was not only extremely intelligent, but funny, caring and generous to all. He and the Ivory Billed Woodpecker were quite a pair and he did save them and the swamp. Rest in peace and Rise in Glory!
Brenda Argoe